Celebrating 12 months of impact
- Olivia Barker White
- 5 hours ago
- 4 min read
One year ago today, Kids Club Kampala officially partnered with The Mango Tree.
Since 1st April 2025, we have been working with our dedicated in-country partners, The Mango Tree Kenya and Organisation for Matumaini Communities (OMC) Tanzania, to deliver programmes focusing on improving educational opportunities and helping children thrive.
It has been an exciting journey, and an incredible 12 months of impact. Together, we have been able to expand our reach, providing more children and families across East Africa with access to life-changing support and opportunities.
In this blog post, I am delighted to share some reflections and key achievements from the year. Read on to learn more about our collective impact and how our community-led projects are making a difference.
Reflections on our partnership
Back in November, I had the pleasure of visiting our in-country partners in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. It was great to meet our new partners in person for the first time, after several months of only seeing each other online. Sam and I were met with such warmth and positivity from the moment we arrived. We were particularly eager to visit the communities and learn more about the projects we deliver in partnership: the Learning and Skills for Life Project and the Our Lives, Our Land Project.
In Tanzania, we met some soon-to-be university graduates, who have been supported with their education through the Learning and Skills for Life Project. It was incredibly special to hear directly from them about how sponsorship has changed their lives. Each of these young people has a bright future ahead, and we’re excited to follow their journeys and see where their careers take them.
In Kenya, it was wonderful to meet some of our community volunteers, who dedicate their time to supporting children with their education through the Learning and Skills for Life Project. They offer mentorship, counselling and career guidance, so young people feel confident making decisions about their next steps. It was inspiring to spend time with them, and see the compassion they bring to supporting children and families every day.
Next, we visited the Homa Bay area, which is right by Lake Victoria in Western Kenya. In recent years, the region has had huge problems with deforestation and land degradation, which has negatively impacted communities. To address this challenge, the Our Lives, Our Land Project helps families adapt to climate change, build sustainable incomes and achieve food security. Sam and I had the chance to attend a community-led climate change mitigation workshop, which was amazing to see in action.
This trip highlighted just how meaningful our work is and affirmed the strength of a partnership built on clear, shared values.
Lugenge Kalistus, Director of OMC Tanzania, shared some reflections on the power of the partnership:
Lugenge Kalistus, OMC Director
“For years, The Mango Tree has been a beacon of support in Tanzania, reaching out to vulnerable children in Kyela, providing educational resources. Simultaneously, across the border in Uganda, Kids Club Kampala has been a tireless advocate for children in marginalised communities, offering holistic care and education. Each organisation, in its own right, has been a vital lifeline. This partnership is not merely a collaboration; it is a powerful merger of hearts and minds, united by a shared commitment to transforming the lives of children in need. The power of this partnership lies not just in the pooling of resources, but in the shared passion and unwavering dedication of individuals working towards a common goal. It is a testament to the belief that by working together, organisations can achieve far more than they can alone.”
In 2025, we welcomed 3 new members to our Board of Trustees from The Mango Tree: William Fulton (Founder of The Mango Tree), Rachel Lindley, and Nic Merrett. Their expertise and passion for community-led development have been a valuable addition to our team. Nic recently shared his thoughts on the success of the partnership so far:
Nic Merrett, Trustee
“Having been associated with The Mango Tree for more than 23 years, and having served as a Trustee for many of those years, I could not be more impressed by how much has been successfully achieved by the merger with Kids Club Kampala. The Kids Club Kampala team, both in the office and also Trustees, display all the values of The Mango Tree, and vice versa, and I'm confident that the journey forward will witness an even stronger impact on the lives of young people in East Africa."
Our collective impact
Since April 2025…
164 children in Tanzania have been provided with free access to education.
646 children in Kenya have been provided with free access to education.
1,828 children in Kenya and Tanzania have been supported with mentorship and career guidance.
29,000+ tree seedlings have been distributed to schools and community groups in Western Kenya, strengthening food security.
6,000+ children have been involved in tree planting in Western Kenya.
1,520 farmers and community members have participated in sustainable agriculture training.
690 people have attended training sessions on climate change mitigation and adaptation.
On the subject of impact, Director Lugenge Kalistus said:
“The impact of this partnership is already being felt on the ground. In Tanzania, support for students has been strengthened, ensuring they not only receive financial assistance but also benefit from a wider network of mentorship and guidance. The stories of children whose lives are being touched by this collaboration will continue to be a powerful testament to its enduring impact.”
Thank you
We would like to say a huge thank you to all of our donors and supporters. Whether you have been following Kids Club Kampala for many years or have only recently joined us, we are truly grateful to have you with us on this journey.
Your encouragement, generosity, and belief in our work continue to make a meaningful difference. Your support has enabled this collaboration to flourish, strengthening our shared vision and collective impact. We are excited for all that we will continue to achieve together in the years ahead. Thank you for being part of the Kids Club Kampala family.
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